Chapter 296
"Miss Roland, you owe me an explanation."
Sebastian Valdemar's voice cut through the air like ice, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room. The doping scandal at the International Wine Tasting Championship was nothing short of an insult to the entire industry.
"If your people are proven guilty of cheating," he paused, his tone dropping even colder, "everyone here today will become a laughingstock."
Bianca Savigny paled, her delicate fingers gripping the hem of her dress.
"I didn't do it!" Her voice trembled. "I know nothing about any stimulants—"
A staff member cut her off roughly. "Still denying it with solid evidence right here?"
Bianca stumbled back, tears welling in her eyes. She looked to Evelyn Roland for help, like a frightened fawn.
Sebastian suddenly strode toward Evelyn. Under the stunned gazes of the crowd, he stopped beside her.
"Silence."
Two simple words, yet they instantly hushed the noisy hall.
His cold eyes swept the room before settling on the aggressive staff member.
"Right now, the priority is tracing the source of the stimulant," he said quietly, each word deliberate. "Not making baseless accusations against the winery's representative."
The room fell dead silent. Everyone knew the consequences of crossing the Valdemar Group.
Sebastian shifted slightly, shielding Evelyn behind him. The unconscious gesture warmed her heart.
Ross Macmillan spoke up. "Mr. Valdemar, we need the truth."
"If this is a frame-up, clear the contestant's name. If proven true," he gave Bianca a pointed look, "such people don't belong in this industry."
Bianca could no longer hold back her sobs.
"Everyone!" Evelyn stepped forward. "This is clearly a plot against Château Blanc!"
Someone in the crowd scoffed. "Proof? Anyone can make empty claims."
Just then, Sebastian's phone vibrated. Reading the message, his lips curled into a cold smile.
"Proof?" He raised his phone. "Surveillance footage shows someone tampering with the contestant's bag when she wasn't looking."
The screen displayed the video: a masked woman slipping something into Bianca's bag furtively.
Gasps filled the room.
Evelyn seized the moment. "Now, it's someone else's turn to give us an explanation."